Type-writer tabulator and billing device.



W. ERWlN.

TYPE WRITER TABULATQR AND mums DEVICE.

APPLlCATlON FILED NOV. 13 1913;

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

; a f a v WJm/enZZUM/ W. ERWIN.

TYPE WRITER TABULATOR AND BILLING DEVICE.

APPUCATION FILED NOV. 13, 1913.

m 9 1 m T u d m e 5 u 2 m H x 9- 01 z 0 M 1 a h w z i w 4- .4 m 3 w w r 0 M A1 h 7 1 n Ha I n l I Q w W w m 9 9 z n a 3 3 O I, awTs k! MW 5 9 v 0/ 7w a L F- hvr G N-H5 5 9 6 .01 z a 4 m 7 Low, I

m/ G10 mud I w Q Mtnesses citizen of the United States, residing at,

UNITED sTA Es'PAT- Nronn o a.

T wILLIAM EnwIN, or PHILADELPHIA, IPENNSYLVANiA.

To mamamama...-

Be it known that 1', WILLI M EItWLN, a

No. 4844 Cedar avenue, in the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and filtate ofPennsyliania, have invented a new andilfseful Type-Writer Tabulator and BillingjDevice, whereby in addition to all of the conveniences of a decimal or denominat- .1

ing 'tabulator is su-peradded the ability to justfas easily and surely select any tenth lette rfspace or ,any individual letter-space at which the carriage of the type-writer and, accurate description, is presented by the following specification and the accompanying drawings, which form a part of it;

Figure 1,' ,',,.is a central, vertical, ,front-torear sectional view of=an1 L. G. Smithj& Bros. typewriter, to which this tabulator is' applied, tabulator key No. 6, and tabulator leverNo. 6-, being shown; Fig. 2', is a plan view ofthe device; Fig. 3, isv a front View of the "tabulator rack, the right hand end .being. broken away; Fig. i, isa side view of oneof the rocking arms; Fig. 5,.is a front view; of the escapement releasing lever; Fig.

6, is aside view (a) of the rear end of one of the carriage arms which support the tabulator rack, (b) a side view of rack rais ing and lowering lever, and (0) a view of one end of rack raisingand lowering rod; li igl jfl'isa front (a) and a side (6) view of one ofthe rear supports of the tabulator le- .VQI'S; Fig. 8, is a side view of a movable tabulator stop Fig. 9, is aview of a modified form of the escapement releasing lever.

I have shown this tabulator as'applied to an L. C. Smith &'Bros. typewriter, though I it :or any of its various features may be applied to other types of typewriting machines. This tabulator is preferably placed in the typewriter in such position that its keys are alined directlyloack of and slightly --higher than-the upper or rear bank ofkeys of the machine, as shownin Fig. 1. Then the shaftsofthetabulator levers will range horizontally-and 'slantingly backward towardz'eachi other underneath the type-bars, until at ;the rear ,of *the'machin'e they are broughtquite together, and their rearv ends, sharptly bent, will rise perpendicularly or Specification of Letters Patent.

TYPE-WRTTER TABULATQR AND BILLING DEVICE.

about its level, and the tabulator rack will also occupy about the same level as the platen.

The tabulator keys, ten in number, are oblong' from front to rear, and are pivoted; ,at the upper part oftheir centers upon rod rear ends, they are marked upon their Pate'ntedMart '7, 191 6. Application filed November 13, 1913. Serial No. 8t)0,'2"77.

centers to indicate from left to'right the decimal pointand the denominations and denominational separating points regularly arising therefrom, andare numberedfrom 1 to 10 inclusive from right to left upon their front ends.

The upper surfaces of the v tabulator keys. may be curved upward attheir ends to give, a good finger hold, as shown at, 2 in Fig. l. At the center of each key is v a downward extension. 3, terminating n joint 4 with the front end of the tabulator lever. This joint supports the front;

end of the tabulator lever.

, The shafts 5 of the tabulator levers are directed backward from the keys horizontally in a slanting direction toward'each other, so that their rear ends approximating eachother, bent sharply at the rear of the machine, and rising perpendicularly or nearly perpendicularly, pass through opening 7 in top. plate 8 of the, machine, and

terminatein two branches 9 and 10 at about I lever support 11, fastened upon top plate 8 of the-machine at each side of said branches,

and a bolt 12 passing from one'support to the other through slots-13 in the tabulator -levers just; below the branches. allows, and byits length limits, a backward Slot 13 or forward sliding motion of a tabulator lever, upon depression ofeither end of the levers tabulator key, and spring 14, one for each tabulator lever, (made-thick and stiff to avoid vibration), vertically attached by so i its lower end to the front edge ofthe front.

cross member of the frame of the machine,

engaging at itsupper end the lower edge'of tains the lever in centralposition when at nearly perpendicularly behind the platen to res't, maintains. the tabulator key at a level .105 the front endef the tabulator lever, main end with a stop 15 facing toward the right,

beveled upon its opposite side, which may be projected backward into the path of one of the permanent tabulator rack stops 16 upon the front surface of tabulator rack 18, when the front end of a tabulator key is depressed, with the tabulator rack in its raised position as shown in Fig. 1, or into the path of one of the movable stops .17 when the tabulator rack is in its depressed position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. Below stop 15 is a recess 19 cut out of the rear edge of branch 9 for the purpose of allowing the permanent tabulator rack stops 16 to pass the branch when the rack is depressed for engagement of movable stops 1? with stoplo upon depressing the front end of a' tabulator key. Upon the front edge of each. branch 9 at the same level is a. wedge-shaped forwardly projecting lever 23, level upon its upper surface, adapted to depress a rod 24: passing from the front end of one rocking arm 25 to the other, when the tabulator lever is projected forward by depressing the rear end of a tabulator key, .1

The rear branch 10 of each tabulator lever, made somewhat narrower than branch 9, rises slightly higher than branch 9, and is provided with a forwardly projecting stop 20 facing toward the right, beveled upon its opposite side, and set at different levels upon the different levers; that upon the left hand lever is set highest at a level to engage with permanent stop 5?; or 105% upon the rear surface of tabulator rack 18, when it is projected forward by depressing the rear end of key marked 1 upon its rear end, that upon the right hand lever is set lowest at a level to engage with permanent stop 10%;; upon the rear surface of the tabulator rack, when it is projected forward by depressing the rear end of key marked 10 upon its rear end, and the intermediate stops uponthe intermediate levers are set at regularly graded levels between 1 and 10 for engagement with correspondingly graded permanent stops upon the rear surface ofthe tabulator rack at 11 letter spaces apart, and numbered by their letter space position upon said rack. Thereforeeach stop 20 will engage only with its own special stop, upon the rack, and will allow all others to pass.

At the upper end of each branch 10 is a forward projection 21, which occupies a lower level than raising and lowering rod 40 when the tabulator rack 18 is in its elevated' position but when the rack is die pressed for use of the movable tabulator crank-pin at each end of rack stops 17, projections 21 are at a level to abut against rod -10, and thus prevent the unintentional or accidental use of "the rear ends of'the tabulator keys when the tabulator rack is thus depressed. Upon the rear edge of each branch 10 at the same level is a wedge-shaped backward projecting lever 26, level upon its lower surface, adapt- .ed to raise a rod 27 passing from the rear.

end of one rocking arm 25 to the other, when the tabulator lever is projected-backward by depressing the front end of a tab ulator key.

Fastened to the upper surface of the top plate 8 of the machine, and holding in apposition the terminal'branches of the tabulator levers at the center of the rear part of the machine, is a tabulator lever support 11 upon each side of the approximated branches of the tabulator levers. These supports have upward branches to correspond with and cover upon the outside the branches of the tabulator levers, and are connected to each other by rod 12, which passes through'slots 13 of the tabulator levers-and supports their rear ends.

A rocking arm'25 is pivoted at its center upon the end of rod 12 at the outer side of each support 11. At the front end of these arms is a connecting rod 2 1, and at their rear ends is a connecting rod 27. Rods 24 and 27 are provided with ten friction rollers 28 each, which are exactly one letter Space wide, and are kept opposite theirrespective levers 23 and 26 of the tabulator lever branches, by means of sleeves 29,

which fill the spaces between the outerfric tion rollers and the ends of the rocking arms.

Pivoted upon the ends of rod 24 are the arms of downward dependingescapement releasing lever 30, which passes through an opening '(not shown) in top plate 8 of the machine, and rests a short distance directly above but not touching the extremity 35 of escapement wheel release bell crank (only I the extremity 35 being shown).

From each 'end of thelcarriage 34, a curved arm 37, with its convexity directed upward, extends backward to suspend the tabulator rack 18 equidistantly between the branches of the tabulator levers. At the rear end of each, arm 37 is a lateral vertical slot 38, adapted to receive one end of the tabulator rack 18, and allow its vertical ad'ustment therein. Opening from the rear 0 slot 38 is a horizpntal slot 39, ada ted to receive a crank-pin of raising and epressing rod 40, and allow its front-to-rear adjustment, therein. Bod 40, terminating rear surface of the tabulator rack throughout its length, to which it is secured by a journaled support 41 near each end. The rod 40 rests in slot 5125 in a crank at each end, lies along the upper iso 39, and its position-.i's controlled by adjusting lever'42, whose"slot 43 allows it to slip upon the crank arm ofrod 40, where it 1s retainedbetween-carriagearm 37 and rod support 41." Manipulation of this 'lever raisesand lowers the tabulator rack for use of stops 16 or 17 as maybe chosen. For short ormediuln lengthj carriages one lever 42 is'snflicient, but for long carriages permitting a possible twist ofrod 40 because;

of its length, a lever 42 is' placed at each end of the tabulat'or rack, when bothlevers are "usedsimultaneouslyto raise or lowerthe tiabulator rack.

' The tabulato'r' rack ends in slots 38 of carriage arms 37, by-the crank ends of rod 40,. From its upper edge,

extendin downward upon its front and rear'snrfaces far enough to give support to movable stops 17, are grooves or recesses av-l7? placed" one letter space apart through-. out its length. Into thesegrooves'm'ay be inserted a movable stop'17 at every space v along the tabulator-rack where it may be :desired to stop the carriage by means of the tabulator. One leg of the movable stops is made wider than the other, and is placed at the front of the tabulator' rack for en-.

the tabulator lever gage'ment with one of stops 15. V

Upon the front surface of the tabulator rack are placed in a 1101120111331 line, permanent stops 16 facing toward "the left,'ten

- letter spaces apart throughout its length,

adapted to stop the carriage at'the denominational letter s aces. By its crank ends rod 40 is adapte to hold tabulator rack. 18 in a raised position for use of permanent stops 16, or in a depressed position for use of movable stops 17 as may be chosen, by

the use of adjusting lever 42. Upon the rear surface of the tabulatorrack is placed a series of permanent stops facing toward the left, which are placed eleven letter spaces apart,v and are'numbered by their letter 1 space position uponthe rack, commencing with 5%. Upon carriages having more than letter spaces the series terminates at the tenth stop at space 104;}, and a new series begins at space 1055 Series corresponding to the first are continued tothe" end of the tabulator rack, The first stopof eachseries, that is 5;}, 105-}, 205;}, etc. is placedwith its upper edge at the level of the upper edge of stops 16, upon thezfront surface of the tabulator rack, and each sueceeding stop -isplaced with itsupper edge very slightly lower than {the lower edge of the last preceding 'stop for a working distance between the levels of the several stops. I v ll tabulator rack stops arepl'aced so as to halt the carriage about i of a letter space in advanceof the intended stop of the carriage, for the purpose of insuring stepping 18, supported at its When'the front end of ,backward by a sliding motion, lever- 2 6-v .of

rod 27 and with it the rearends .ofrock .lng arms 25. Thus the. frontends fof the allowsa free run dog 31 full time to engage vwheel 32v after,

the tabulator key has'been released. a

The greatest depth of the tabulator raok Lg" is at the tenth stop of, each series of perma nent stops upon its rearsurface, itsv lower edge'b'eing cut away from the left side each stop level to. the-neXt.preceding-stop, as shown in Fig. 3, this figure being placed;-

nprl-ght to economize space upon the drawmg. wNo novelty is: claimed for the imovable stops, or their manner of attachment Y if to the tabul'ator rack, Adjusting lever,42, occupying a depending position when. th ef tabulator rack is in its raisedipositiomlis swung backward and upward in'aehalfcir-fflo" cle to depress the tabulator rack and vice versa to'raise it. a y a tabulatorl-keyi'sc depressed,. the tabulatonlever is. moved.

branch 10 of the tabulator lever raises rocking arms are depressed, and withthen ad the escapement releasing,-lever; 30 which escapement Wheel release bell :crank, which in turn forces stepping'dog 31 out 'of-engagement with escapement wheel 32,,and11 of the-carriage34 .untiLEQE mtercepted by the engagementpf stop 15,

with one of the permanent stops-i16 u on" the frontof the p tabulator rack when it is in its raised position, or with one of the movable stops 17 when the tabulator rack is 1n its depressed position. When the. tabulator key is released spring 14 restores ltto lts'level position, and the tab11lato1' lever 'to its central position upon bolt,.,-12, j and spring 36 restores the rocking; arms to 105 their level position, thus returning escape-' ment releasing lever 30 to its original free.

,position, w hile a spring (not shown). returns stepping dog 31 into engagement with; escaIpemen-t wheel 32. When the rear end,110-,

lows a free runof the carriage 34 untiline ,2. s

. with its own permanent stop upon the ream surface of the tabulator rack. When the tercepted by the engagement of stop 20:

ta-bulator key is released springs ldand 36 return the tabulator key,.the tabulator lever, the, ,escapement releasing lever, and the rocking arms to their first position, and

' the sprirfg of the steppingdog returns it into engagement with the escapement' wheel, in exactly the same way as isdone'whenw the front end of a tabulator key is released presses downward'the extremity 3,5.joftheffl i 30 has a certain distance to release stepping 'upon the lower end of lever after being depressed. In every operation of this tabulator, escapement releasing lever travel before-engaging extremity of the escapement wheel release bell crank, and then both have a still further distance to travel before they dog 31 from esoapement wheel 32, thus insuring the projection of one of the stops 15 or 20 into the path of -a tabulator rack stop before wheel 32 is re leased; and likewise retaining this engagement until after stepping dog 31' has returned into engagement with wheel 32.

In other typewriting machines, where a free running release of the carriage is secured by depressing a part, such as a rackbar or allied part of the machine, lever 30 may operate such release wit out departing from its essential principle of construction oroperation as above descnibed; and in typewriting machines whereusch release of the carriage is secured by raising any part of the mechanism out of engagement, a hook 30, as indicated by 30 in Fig. 9, may readily accomplish this purpose by inverting the levers 23 and 26 of the tabulator lever by dotted lines 33 and 44 in Fig. 1. In this case operation of the tabulator levers will raise the front ends of rocking arms 25 and with them lever 30.

In using this tabulator, with the tabulator rack in its raised position, the operator may select any tenth or columnar space-in the tabulator rack series. beyond that occupied by the carriage, or in the next series following of a lower denomination than is occupied by the carriage, by depressing the rear end of the tabulator key which bears, upon its rear end the figure contained in the second denominational place of the number de sired.

To illustrate :Supposing the carriage 1s standing at any space between 40 and 50,

and it is desired to stop it at 60, or 70, or 80, or90, or 100, depress the rear end of key marked upon its rear end 6, or 7 ,L or 8, or 9, or 10 respectively; or should it be desired to stop the carriage at space 110, or 120101 130, or 140, depress vthe rear end of key marked 'on its rear end 1, or 2, on 3, or 4 respectively. A free run of the carriage letter spaces, can scarcely be desired, because of the detrimental shock to the machine of so long a run, besides tabulating work seldom if ever requires by a second depression of the rear end of the proper key.

- In any case that d fraction of a columnar the columnar space is first obtained 'as' just described, and then the front end of akey is depressed which bears upon its front end the fractional number desired.

nar space by branches, as shown for more than 100 V a free run of such length, but if it is desired it can be obtained of key bearing upon 1ts rear end 5, orG, or

7, or 8, or 9, or 10, respectively,andwhen the carriage has stopped, depress the front end of key marked 3 upon its front end; or should space 113, or 123, or 133 be'desircd, lepress the rear end of key marked n on its rear end 1, or 2, or 3 respectively,-an when the carriage has stopped, depress the front end of key marked 3 upon its front end. Any other fraction of the columnar space is obtained by depressing the front end of the corresponding key as above described. Thus itwill be seen that, by this method the operator has perfect control of any selected columnar space within and including 100 letter spaces beyondthe carriage, by the depression of the rear end of a single key,-and may add to this any fraction of a columthe added depression of the front end of the. corresponding key. ever, should it be desired to use this tabulator as a decimal or denominating tabulator with movable stops, the tabulator rack is first depressed by lever at the desired spaces, and then'the front ends of the keys'are used in the usual manner of decimal or denominating tabulators arcordins, to the indexes uponthe centers ofthe How- I 49., the stops are set keys, the rear ends of the keys being locked by rod 40 in its depressed position But in this case it is necessary to halt the carriage at each stop in rotation, whether each stop is always desired or not, whereas by the first described method theoperator has the advantage of any choice within and including spaces beyond the carriage, wherever it may happen to be standing.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A tabulating device for typewriters,

comprising means for releasing the typewriter carriage to permit it to run free, and then stopping the carriage, and pivoted rocking'keys operating said means when rocked in either direction, substantially as described.

'2. A 'tabulating device for typewriters, comprising means for releasing the typewriter carriagc to permit itto run free, and then stopping the carriage, and bifurcated horizontally sliding tabulator levers which bear fixed stops at the same level upon one set of the bifurcations, and stops fixed at graduated levels-upon the other set of bifurcations, controlling the operation of said means, substantially as described. 7 l

3. A tabulating device for typewriters, comprising a tabulator rack adjustably secured to the tyfewriter carriage and bearing stops, and b1 urcated horizontally sliding tabulatornlevers'bearing stops for controlling said rack stops, to release the carriage to'permit. it to run free, and then' stop' the and then stopping the carriage, bifurcated horizontallysliding tabulator levers which bear stops for controlling said means, and

. wedge-shaped members on said levers conitrolling the release of the carriage, substanthe feombination of a carriage, supports I tially asdescribed.

5. Ina tabulating device for typewriters,

the combination of a vertically adjustable tabulator rack adapted to be secured to a typewriter carriage, andbearing adjustable stops, a' series of fixed stops at the same level, and a series or more than oneiseries of fixed stops at graduated levels, with bifurcated horizontally sliding tabulator levers bearing stops for cotiperating withthe rack stops, for releasing the carriage to'permit it to run free, and then stopping the carriage, substantially as described;

6. In a tabulating device for typewriters, the combination of atabulator rackl arranged to be adjustably secured to the typewriter carriage, and a series of fixed stops on said rack locatedfat the same level ten letter spaces apart" throughout its entire 1 length, with bifurcated horizontally slid- .free,-and then stopping the carriage, substantially as described. 1

7. In a tabulating device for typewriters,

the combination of bifurcated horizontally sliding tabulator levers which bear fixed,

ers, the combination of a carriage,sup.ports stops at the same level 11 on one set-of the bifurcations, and stops levels upon the other set of the bifurcations, with a tabulator rack arranged to be adjustably secured to the typewriter carriage,

and fixed stops upon said rack codperating" with the graduated'tabulator lever stops," said rack stops being placed at graduated levels eleven letter spaces apart in a series of ten stops, or multiples or fractions thereof in proper location and succession throughout the entire length of said rack according to its length, to release the carriage to permit it to run free, and then stop the carriage at any tenth letter space, subxed at. graduated described. 7 I

9. In a tabulatiiig device for typewriters, the comblnation of a carriage, supports the release of the carriage, substantially as thereon, a tabulator rack carried 'byjsaid supports and vertically adjustable. thereon, and three series of stops carried by"said rack comprising adjustable stops, a: series thereon,a tabulator rack bearing three sets of stops carried by said supports, 'a"se'ries of sliding levers, each lever having abifurcated end, and stops on both members o fthe bifurcated ends of thelevers for engaging the stops upon the rack, substantially/as described. 11'. In a tabulating device for typewriters,

the combination of a carriage, supports thereon,'.a tabulator rack bearing three sets of stops carried by said supports,iaiseries of sliding levers, each lever 'havinga bifurcated end, and stops on both membersiof the bifurcated ends of the levers for engaging the rack stops, said bifurcated members at one side of the rack bearing stops at{ the same level, and the other bifurcated-members'bearing stops at graduatedlevels, substantially as described. a

12. In a tabulating device for't ypewriters,

the combination of a carriage, supports thereon, a tabulator rack carried by said supports, a series of sliding levers ,:each lever having a bifurcated end, and p1votedrock-.

ing keys operating said evers; substantially as described. 1 1 s 13. In a tabulat ing device for typewritthereon, a tabulator rack bearing z-thi'ee sets of stops carried by said supports, aseries of end, stops on both members of the bifurcated ends of the levers for engaging the rack stops, means for releasing the carriage to permit it* to run free,f"and 'wedgeeshaped members on the opposite sides of said levers ers, the combination of a carriage, supports.

thereon, a tabulator rack carried by said sliding levers, each lever having a bifurcated supports, a series oihsliding levers, each lever having a bifurcated end, pivoted rocking keys operating said levers, means for releasing the carriage'to permit it to run free, and wedge-shaped members on the opposite sides of said levers compelling the operation of said means when the levers are moved in either direction, substantially as .de-

scribed.

15. A tabulatlng device for typewriters,

comprising means for releasing the typewriter carriage to permit it to run free, and then stopping the carriage, and bifurcated sliding levers controlling the operation of said means, said levers having registering slots therein, and a rod extending through all of the slots and compelling the levers to move horizontally, substantially as described.

16. A tabulating device for typewriters, comprising means for releasing the type writer carriage to permit it to run free, bifurcated sliding levers controlling said means, stops on the levers arranged to stop the carriage, said levers having registering slots therein, and a rod extending through all of the slots and compelling the levers to move horizontally, substantially as described.

17. A tabulating device for typewriters,

. comprising a rack bearing three sets of stops,

arranged to he adjustably secured to the typewriter carriage, bifurcated sliding levers bearing stops upon their bifurcations engaging the stops upon the rack and controlling the stopping of the carriage, Wedgeshaped members on said levers controlling the release of the carriage, said levers having registering slots therein, and a rod extending through all of the slots and compelling the levers to move horizontally, sub stantially as described.

18. In a tabulating device for typewriters, the combination of a carriage, supports thereon, a tabulator rack bearing three sets of stops, carried by said supports, a series of sliding levers, each lever having a bifurcated end, stops on both members of the bifurcated ends of the levers for engaging the stops upon the rack, said levers having registering slots therein, and a rod extending through all of the slots and compelling the levers to move horizontally, substantially as described.

19. In a tabulating device for typewriters, the combination of a carriage, supports thereon, a tabulator rack carried by said supports, a series of sliding levers, each lever having a bifurcated end, pivoted rocking keys operating said levers, said levers having registering slots therein, and a rod extending through all of the slots and compelling the levers to move horizontally, substantially as described. v

20. In a tabulating device for typewriters, the combination of a carriage, supports thereon, a tabulator rack bearing three sets of stops carried by said supports, a series of sliding levers, each lever having a bifurcated end, stops on both members of the bifurcated ends of the levers for engaging the stops upon the rack, means for releasing the carriage to permit it to run free, Wedgeshaped members on the opposite sides of said levers compelling the operation of said means when the levers are slidingly moved in either directiomsaid levers having registering slots therein, and a rod extending through all of the slots and compelling the levers to move horizontally, substantially as described.

21. In a tabulating device for typewriters, the combination of a carriage, supports thereon, a tabulator rack carried by said supports, a series of sliding levers, each lever having a bifurcated end, pivoted rocking keys operating said levers, means for releasing the carriage to permit it to run free, Wedge-shaped members on the opposite sides of said levers compelling the operation of said means when the lovers are slidingly moved in either direction, said levers having registering slots therein, and a rod extending through all of the slots and compelling the levers to move horizontally, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM ERWIN.

Witnesses:

Gsonon A. Rosanne, RAYMOND J. Lonowon'rrr. 

